Device for supporting a wire on a post

ABSTRACT

A device for supporting a wire on a post, having a body with a base portion and two arm portions which extend away from the base portion generally in the same direction. A wire receiving opening is formed between the two arm portions. To use the device, it is affixed to a post at one arm portion and with the opening upwardly open. The wire to be supported is then inserted into the opening, between the arm portions, after which the arm portion which is not affixed to the post is deformed inwardly towards the post to substantially close the opening around the wire so that the wire is captured by the device.

[0001] This invention relates to a device for supporting a wire on a post.

[0002] Fences and similar structures are frequently formed by positioning upright posts in the ground and interconnecting these with wires. For example, in security fencing, the posts may carry three upper runs of security wiring, for example, barbed wire, and three lower runs of wire which provide support for wire mesh which is separately affixed to the posts and/or those wires. Presently, the affixment of the runner wires to posts in constructions of the above kind is effected by separately tying the wires to the posts. It is common to use coiled wire to form the runner wires, a free wire end from the wire coil being loosely secured to fence post at a near end of the intended fence line, the wire coil then being carried to the fence post at a far end of the intended fence line, wire being unwound from the coil during that carrying, to be laid along the fence line. Then, the wire from the coil is cut and securely tied to the far end post. After this, the wire is tensioned at the near end post and secured to that post. Subsequently, the wire is tied, by use of separate tie wires, to the intermediate posts, after which the coil of wire is carried back to the first post to repeat the described process for each wire.

[0003] The described process is generally inconvenient. Firstly, the tying of the wires to the posts requires that separate tie wire be carred between the end posts for that purpose. Efficient and neat tying requires some manual dexterity. It is necessary to cut the tie wire to length, pass it around the post and wire to be tied, to then twist the ends, using pliers or the like, so that a tight tie is made, and to then cut off any excess tie wire. Inexperienced persons usually take some time to acquire necessary skills and will frequently break tie wires through over twisting of the ends thereof. In many cases at least, the higher runner wires are beyond easy reach, necessitating use of a ladder to enable them to be accessed for tying. In any event, there is always loss of tie wire due to the need to trim the wire ends after twisting. Also if, as is common, only two persons lay and tie the fence wires, there is substantial loss of time in completing a job. It may be most efficient to effect all tying at the end of a job, when all of the runner wires have been tied to the end posts. In that case, however, with one person at the near end post, the second person must carry the runner wire coil to the far end post, cut and attach the runner wire then walk back to the near end post, carrying the runner wire coil so that the free end may be attached ready to run the next runner wire. Particularly with long fence lines, considerable non-productive time is occupied by the return of the coil to the near end. While it would he possible for the second person to effect tying at intermediate posts as the coil is being brought back, that would involve separately carrying the tie wire and repeatedly putting down and picking up the runner wire coil.

[0004] In one aspect, the invention provides a device for supporting a wire on a post, comprising a body having a base portion and two arm portions which extend away therefrom generally in the same direction, so as to define therebetween a wire receiving opening such that the wire can be inserted into the opening by movement of the wire transverse to its direction of extent, between the free ends of the arm portions, the device being affixable to the post with one of the arm portions adjacent thereto and the other of the arm portions spaced outwardly therefrom, and with the base portion lowermost, whereby the wire may be entered into the opening by said movement thereof, the other arm portion being then deformable inwardly towards the one arm portion to substantially close the opening around the wire whereby the wire is captured by the device.

[0005] In another aspect, the invention provides a post fitted with the device above described.

[0006] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of erecting a fence or other barrier, in which posts including at least one post as last mentioned are positioned in upright spaced relationship and a wire extending between the posts is located on said at least one post is located thereon by passing it into the opening, and secured in position by effecting said deformation.

[0007] The device may be formed such that said deformation may be effected by hammering of the other arm portion.

[0008] The invention also provides a method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these, wherein the wire is secured to the intermediate post by deformation of a capturing means to capture the wire and hold it to the intermediate post.

[0009] The invention also provides a method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these, wherein the wire is secured to the intermediate post by means of a device attached to the intermediate post and which is deformed to capture the wire and hold it to the intermediate post.

[0010] The invention also provides a method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these, wherein the wire is secured to the intermediate post by means of a device attached to the intermediate post and which is deformed to capture the wire and hold it to the intermediate post, and wherein, prior to said deformation, the runner wire is run between the end posts by carrying a coil of runner wire from a location adjacent one end post to a location adjacent the other end post and uncoiling the runner wire from the coil, after which the runner wire is cut so that a length of the runner wire extends between the end posts and past the intermediate post, whereafter the coil is returned to said one end post. The wire may be secured to the end posts, and possibly tensioned, before said securing of the wire to the intermediate post is effected.

[0011] The wire may be separately positioned to rest on a base portion of the device, before effecting said deformation to capture the wire. The deformation may be effected by hammering an upwardly extending arm portion of the device inwardly towards the intermediate post.

[0012] The invention also provides a device for supporting a wire on a post, comprising a body having a base portion and an arm portion which extends away therefrom, the device being affixable to the post so at to define a wire receiving opening between the arm portion and the base portion, with the base portion extending outwardly from the post, such that, with the post upright and the arm portion extending upwardly from the base portion, the wire can be inserted into the opening by downward movement of the wire transverse to its direction of extent, the arm portion being then deformable inwardly towards the post to substantially close the opening around the wire whereby the wire is captured in position with respect to the post.

[0013] In another aspect, the invention provides a post fitted with the device last described.

[0014] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of erecting a fence or other barrier, in which fence posts including end posts and an upright post as last mentioned are positioned in spaced relationship and a wire which extends between the end posts is fixed to the upright post by passing it into the opening, and secured in position on the upright post by effecting said deformation.

[0015] The device may be weldable or otherwise affixable to a post. For example, to facilitate electric welding the one arm portion or a free end of the base portion may have an outwardly convex configuration which is pressed against a post to which the device is to be affixed, during application of electric current to effect welding. The convex configuration may be a V-shaped configuration.

[0016] At least part of the outer edge of the base portion of the device may be concave, in an open condition thereof. That part of the outer edge may adapt to a substantially linear form when the device is in a closed condition.

[0017] The invention is further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an almost completed fence constructed using tie wires;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary illustrating how wires are tied to posts in the fence of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device for supporting a wire on a post, formed in accordance with the invention;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a diagram of a fence constructed by use of the device of FIG. 3;

[0022]FIG. 5 illustrates a manner of affixment of the device of FIG. 3 to a post;

[0023]FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views of posts incorporated into the fence of FIG. 4, illustrating steps in forming the fence;

[0024]FIG. 8 is perspective view of an alternative device for supporting a wire on a post, formed in accordance with the invention; and

[0025]FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views of the device of FIG. 8, respectively in open and closed conditions.

[0026] The fence 10 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a series of parallel upright posts 12 which are positioned to extend upwardly from a ground surface 14 in spaced relationship along the intended fence line. Runner wires are then strung, generally horizontally, between the end ones of the posts 12, and tied thereto at various heights. In the present instance, there are shown three upper security wires 16, which might be formed of barbed wire, and three lower wires 20. To complete the assembly of the fence, the wires 16 and 20 are tied by separate tie wires 24 to the intermediate ones of the posts 12, after which wire mesh 25 is secured to the posts 12 and/or to the wires 20. In FIG. 1, the wire mesh 25 is shown having been unrolled from a coil and laid on the ground with one edge adjacent the fence line, ready to be lifted by upward rotation of the edge of the mesh away from the fence line so that the mesh is positioned adjacent the upper one of the wires 20, ready for tying.

[0027] As shown particularly in FIG. 2, the tie wires 24 comprise short lengths of tie wire which lengths are passed around the posts 12 and over the wire 16 or 20, the free ends of the tie wire 24 being brought together and twisted together by use of pliers or the like to pull the tie wire tightly around the post and wire 20, after which ends of the tie wire 24 are cut off to make a neat job.

[0028] As mentioned earlier, the wires 16 and 20 are usually taken from coils of wire. A first of the wires 16 may be run by attaching the free end of wire from such a coil to a near end post 12, in a loose fashion. A worker then carries the wire coil along the fence line to the far end post 12, uncoiling the wire in the process. At the far end post, then, the wire is cut and securely tied to the far end post. After this, at the near end post, a worker tensions the wire and securely ties it. The coil is then carried back to the near end post, and the process repeated for the other two wires 16. A similar process is carried out in order to position the wires 20. After such positioning, the wires 16 and 20 are tied to the intermediate posts by the tie wires 24, separately, by a worker moving along the fence line, and using wire from a separate tie wire coil. Finally, the mesh 25 is laid out, lifted to an upright position along the fence line and tied to the wires 20 and/or posts 12.

[0029]FIG. 4 shows a completed fence 100 constructed in accordance with the invention. This includes a plurality of posts 112 which are upright and spaced apart in the direction of extent of the wires 16, 20. The wires 16, 20 are positioned and tensioned so as to extend between the end ones of the posts 112 by a process substantially the same as that described in relation to the arrangement of FIG. 1. In this case, however, instead of effecting tying of the wires 16, 20 to the posts 112 by use of tie wires 24, the posts are fitted with devices 120 formed in accordance with the invention, and which are adapted to receive the wires 16 and 20 and to secure them to the intermediate posts which are positioned between the end posts.

[0030] Particularly, as shown in FIG. 3, the devices 120 are formed from planar plate metal, such as by stamping, and comprise a body 122 having base portion 124 and two arm portions 126, 128 extending in spaced parallel disposition therefrom. There is thus defined between the base portion 124 and the arm portions 126, 128 an opening 130 which, over parts thereof leading inwardly from the periphery of the device 120 has generally parallel sides and which, at its base end, has a part-circular configuration. In particular, it will be observed that an edge portion 132 of the opening, defined by arm portion 128, is generally parallel to a corresponding edge portion 134 defined on arm portion 126. Edge portion 132 merges smoothly into a lower part-circular portion 136, but is of somewhat greater diameter than the distance between portions 132, 134 so as to define a concavity in the inner edge of arm portion 126 where this defines a side of the opening 130. By this, too, the inner end of the opening 130 is of slightly greater side-to-side diameter than the outer end thereof.

[0031] The arm portion 126 is provided at its side edge away from the opening 130 (at the side of the body 122) with surfaces 144, 146 which define an outwardly convex V-shaped configuration 140.

[0032] A plurality of the devices 120 is affixed to each of the posts 112, except for the end posts of the fence. For each such post 112, there is one of these devices 120 for each of the wires 16, 20, these devices being positioned at locations along the length of each of the posts 112 corresponding to the intended places at which the wires are to be supported on the posts when the fence is being assembled.

[0033] Affixment of the devices 120 to posts 112 may be effected by any suitable means, but the particular form of the device 120 as shown is designed to facilitate affixment by electric welding. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, a conventional welding apparatus can be used to affix these by a process involving receiving the device 120 in a chuck 150 such that the V-shaped configuration 140 is outermost and faces the post 112 to which the device is to be affixed. The pointed end of the V-shaped configuration is brought into contact with the post and pressure then applied between chuck 150 and a fixed anvil 152 at the opposite side of the post 112 to that at which the chuck 150 is positioned. Electric current is then applied from a source 154, between the chuck and anvil so that such electric current passes through the device 120 and the post 112. In view of the relatively small surface area, initially, at which the V-shaped configuration 140 thus makes contact with the post 112, concentrated heating occurs at that location and, as pressing continues, the material forming that formation melts until the full length of the outer side of the arm portion 126 is melted and welded to the outer surface of the post 112. Of course, other means of affixment may be utilised however.

[0034] When affixed as above-described, the devices 120 are positioned with the arm portions 126 adjacent to and welded to the posts 112, with the base portions 124 lowermost and with the arm portions 128 outermost, with respect to the intended upright positioning of the posts. That is to say, the openings 130 are upwardly open.

[0035] Preferably, the devices 120 are affixed to the posts before the posts are fixed in the ground ready for assembly of wires thereto, although it would be possible to affix them after so fixing of the posts.

[0036] During running of the wires 16, 20 between the end ones of the posts 12, the wires may be lifted into the devices 120 so as to be passed into the openings 130 and then fall downwardly to rest on the base portions 124 of the devices 120. This action is illustrated in FIG. 6 where the arrow “A” illustrates movement of a wire 16 from the position illustrated at 16′ to a rest position within the device 120. Instead of this positioning being effected during running of the wires from one end to the other, it may be effected subsequently, such as when the wire coil from which the runner wires 16 or 20 is derived is brought back from the far end post to the near end post. Even for the upper wires 16, it is relatively simple for a worker, holding the wire coil in one hand, to so position the wires in the devices 120 by upward and sideward movement by engagement by, for example, the free end of a hammer, or other implement, and to then allow the wire to pass down into the openings 130.

[0037] Whenever the wires are positioned in the device 120, the wires 16, 20 are subsequently captured in the devices 120 by deforming the devices 120 such that the arm portions 128 are moved inwardly towards the arm portions 126 so that the openings 130 are closed at their upper ends and the wires are captured within the closed openings 130. This is conveniently effected by use of a hammer, a worker working from one end of the fence line to the other simply tapping the arm portions 128 inwardly for this purpose.

[0038] The above arrangement is particularly convenient. First of all, it avoids the need for the tie wires 24. There is thus a substantial saving in material, as well as in time, since it is a simple and quick matter to tap the arm portions 128 inwardly while the worker traverses the length of the fence line. Also, as mentioned, the wires 16 in particular are frequently placed at some height above the ground so that in the conventional fence structure described, tying needs to be effected by use of a ladder. It has been found, however, that the additional reach provided by hammer is sufficient for most workers to reach the upper devices 120 to tap the arm portions 128 inwardly without resort to use of a ladder. Furthermore, a worker may easily carry a coil of runner wire, such as during return to the near end post, in one hand while leaving the other hand free to effect the described deformation of the devices 120. Also, as mentioned, it is possible, in this case, too, for the worker to position the wires in the devices 120 by engagement with the hammer so that it is not necessarily required that the wires be positioned in the devices 120 during the running of the wire from the near end to the far end posts.

[0039] It is possible, of course, to vary the form of the device 120. For example, the device 120 may be of “L” shaped form, having a base portion, the free end of which is secured to the post, and an arm portion which then extends generally parallel to the post so that the opening 130 is defined between that arm portion and the post.

[0040] The modified device 220 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 is formed from planar plate metal, such as by stamping, and comprise a body 222 having base portion 224 and two arm portions 226, 228 extending, in the open condition of the device as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, in spaced relationship therefrom. There is thus, in this open condition, defined between the base portion 224 and the arm portions 226, 228 an opening 230 which, over parts thereof leading inwardly from the periphery of the device 220 has generally linear sides and which, at its inner end, has an angled and sidewardly enlarged configuration. In particular, it will be observed that an edge portion 232 of the opening, defined by arm portion 228, is generally angularly disposed with respect to a corresponding edge portion 234 defined arm portion 226. Edge portion 232 joins a lower part-circular concave edge portion 235 of opening 230, which merges into a liner inner edge portion 237 of base portion 224. Edge portion 237 merges with a concave inner edge portion 239 of the inside edge of arm portion 226 which then joins with the linear, edge, portion 234 of arm portion 226. The outer edge portion 245 of base portion 224 is concave.

[0041] The arm portion 226 is provided at its side edge away from the opening 230 (at the side of the body 222) with surfaces 244, 246 which define an outwardly convex V-shaped configuration 240.

[0042] The device 220 is used generally in the same way as the device 120 previously described. That is, the device is attached to the post at the V-shaped configuration 240, with the arm portions 226, 228 then extending generally upwardly and with the base portion 224 lowermost, so as to enable a runner wire to be accommodated in the opening 230. Then, the device is closable by striking the arm portion 228 to deform this so as to bring the edge portions 232, 234 into contact, as shown in FIG. 10. In this closed condition the edge portion 245 is deformed to a substantially linear condition, so that the device 230 is generally rectangular in form, the wire being captured in a generally circular inner opening 250 defined by the edge portions 235, 239, and the deformed portion 237, which is then conformed to a part-circular configuration.

[0043] The described arrangement has been advanced merely by way of explanation and many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims hereto.

[0044] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A device for supporting a wire on a post, comprising a body having a base portion and two arm portions which extend away therefrom generally in the same direction, so as to define therebetween a wire receiving opening such that the wire can be inserted into the opening by movement of the wire transverse to its direction of extent, between the free ends of the arm portions, the device being affixable to the post with one of the arm portions adjacent thereto and the other of the arm portions spaced outwardly therefrom, and with the base portion lowermost, whereby the wire may be entered into the opening by said movement thereof, the other arm portion being then deformable inwardly towards the one arm portion to substantially close the opening around the wire whereby the wire is captured by the device.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device is weldable or otherwise affixable to a post.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein to facilitate electric welding the one arm portion or a free end of the base portion has an outwardly convex configuration which is pressed against a post to which the device is to be affixed, during application of electric current to effect welding.
 4. A device for supporting a wire on a post, wherein the convex configuration is a V-shaped configuration.
 5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least part of the outer edge of the base portion of the device is concave, in an open condition thereof.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said part of the outer edge adopts to a substantially linear form when the device is in a closed condition.
 7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, formed such that said deformation may be effected by hammering of the other arm portion.
 8. A post fitted with the device of any preceding claim.
 9. A method of erecting a fence or other barrier, in which posts including at least one post as claimed in claim 8, are positioned in upright spaced relationship and a wire extending between the posts is located on said at least one post is located thereon by passing it into the opening, and secured in position by effecting said deformation.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the opening of said device fitted to said one post is upwardly open at least prior to said deformation.
 11. A method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these, wherein the wire is secured to the intermediate post by deformation of a capturing means to capture the wire and hold it to the intermediate post.
 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the opening of said device fitted to said intermediate post is upwardly open at least prior to said deformation.
 13. A method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these, wherein the wire is secured to the intermediate post by means of a device attached to the intermediate post and which is deformed to capture the wire and hold it to the intermediate post.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the opening of said device fitted to said intermediate post is upwardly open at least prior to said deformation.
 15. A method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these, wherein the wire is secured to the intermediate post by means of a device attached to the intermediate post and which is deformed to capture the wire and hold it to the intermediate post, and wherein, prior to said deformation, the runner wire is run between the end posts by carrying a coil of runner wire from a location adjacent one end post to a location adjacent the other end post and uncoiling the runner wire from the coil, after which the runner wire is cut so that a length of the runner wire extends between the end posts and past the intermediate post, whereafter the coil is returned to said one end post.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein opening of said device fitted to said intermediate post is upwardly open at least prior to said deformation.
 17. A method according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the wire secured to the end posts before said securing of the wire to the intermediate post is effected.
 18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the wire is separately positioned to rest on a base portion of the device, before effecting said deformation to capture the wire.
 19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the deformation is effected by hammering an upwardly extending arm portion of the device inwardly towards the intermediate post.
 20. A device for supporting a wire on a post, comprising a body having a base portion and an arm portion which extends away therefrom, the device being affixable to the post so at to define a wire receiving opening between the arm portion and the base portion, with the base portion extending outwardly from the post, such that, with the post upright and the arm portion extending upwardly from the base portion, the wire can be inserted into the opening by downward movement of the wire transverse to its direction of extent, the arm portion being then deformable inwardly towards the post to substantially close the opening around the wire whereby the wire is captured in position with respect to the post.
 21. A device for supporting a wire on a post substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 22. A method of securing a runner wire extending in a direction between two end posts to an intermediate post positioned between these substantially, as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 23. A method of erecting a fence or other barrier substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
 24. The steps, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification and/or claims of this application, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of said steps or features. 